Dorothy F. Wovers Grandy

Dorothy F. Wovers Grandy, 82, died March 12, 2017, at Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness. She was the wife of Edwin A. Grandy.

Born in Bristol, Conn. on April 8, 1934, she was the daughter of the late James and Margaret (Waicunas) Wovers. She was a graduate of the Plainville High School Class of 1952. Dorothy was the 1951 Football Queen, and along with Mr. Grandy, the 1952 Class Artist.

She moved to Gloucester in 1971, and was employed as a bookkeeper for many years for Friendly Ice Cream, the Gloucester school system, Producer’s Fish, and Gloucester Stevedoring. Dorothy met her husband of 33 years at their 30th high school reunion and spent many happy years together in Brockton, Natick, and Milford before retiring in Gloucester in 1995.

Dorothy was an artist who took pleasure in painting and drawing, especially trees. She was also a talented seamstress and designer who created and made many outfits, Halloween costumes, and stuffed animals. She and her husband were a dynamic duo that could “MacGyver,” create and repair almost anything. Dorothy was a voracious reader, listened to a variety of music, and was an excellent dancer. She also loved walking the beach searching for sea glass, sitting on the rocks reading, and jumping the waves.

Dorothy’s enthusiasm for life was infectious. Even though she struggled as a single parent when her two youngest children were teenagers, she created an accepting and welcoming home for all their band mates and friends to gather. She was chief cook and ringmaster, leading sing-a-longs, participating in card and board games, and blowing the competition away winning at Jeopardy. Dorothy was a good listener, gave advice upon request, and treated everyone like a person no matter their age. Dorothy was a loyal and steadfast supporter of her family and friends, and her kids’ biggest fan whatever their academic, sport, or musical pursuit.

In addition to Mr. Grandy, she is survived by her children, Leane and her husband, Bill Ellis; Charlene Prescott, Ronald D. Fanion Jr., and Theodore P. Fanion; grandsons, Theodore P. Fanion II and Andrew M. Fanion; three sisters, Margaret Koschak, Barbara Machado, and Marion, wife of Richard Durant, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Paul Prescott and her brother, James Wovers Jr.

The family would like to thank the staff at Seacoast and her hospice team from Care Dimensions for their very professional and superbly compassionate care of Dorothy. In keeping with Dorothy’s wishes, funeral services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please give to a charity of your choice or Cape Ann Art Haven or The Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry. In her memory, please be kind to one another.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Pike-Newhall Funeral Home, 61 Middle St., Gloucester. For further information and online condolences, please visit www.pikenewhall.com